使
使 — Use
use, send on a mission, order, messenger, envoy, ambassador
On’yomiシ (shi)
Kun’yomiつかう (tsukau)
Kun’yomiつかい (tsukai)
Kun’yomi-つかい (tsukai)
Kun’yomi-づかい (zukai)
Stroke order (8 strokes)
Watch the strokes draw themselves in the correct order — numbers mark where each stroke starts. Diagram from KanjiVG (CC BY-SA).
Common words using 使
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 使う | つかう tsukau | to use (a tool, method, etc.); to make use of; to put to use |
| 使用 | しよう shiyou | use; application; employment |
| 大使 | たいし taishi | ambassador |
| 行使 | こうし koushi | use; exercise (of one's right, authority, power, etc.) |
| 大使館 | たいしかん taishikan | embassy |
| 使途 | しと shito | purpose for which money is spent; the way money is spent; how goods are used |
Study notes
使 is a JLPT N4 kanji written with 8 strokes. It is taught in Japanese elementary school (grade 3), so native children learn it early — a good sign it appears everywhere. Ranked #219 of the 2,500 most frequent kanji in newspapers. On’yomi (音読み) are Chinese-derived readings mostly used in compound words; kun’yomi (訓読み) are native Japanese readings, with any highlighted part written in hiragana after the kanji (okurigana).
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